24 weeks pregnant: what happens to the baby?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

What happens at 24 weeks pregnant? A woman during this period feels great. After all, all the signs and consequences of toxicosis, as well as fatigue, excessive irritability and increased emotionality no longer excite her. The baby is actively moving in the tummy, constantly reminds of himself and his needs.

The article will discuss what happens to the baby at the 24th week of pregnancy, what changes occur in the body of a woman. Expectant mothers will learn about what can and cannot be done during this period, what tests they need to pass, what complications can develop during this period, as well as a lot of other useful information.

Fetal development

The child is actively developing and continues to gain weight. He is still very small, but he has already formed all the features of a tiny man. In addition, he loves communication and attention very much, he really likes to hear his mother's voice. It is from this period that he needs to tell tales and singsongs.

But the main task of the fetus at the 24th week of pregnancy is weight gain. Plus, he sleeps most of the time. If the baby is born at this time, then he has every chance to survive.

So what does the baby look like? Fetal development at 24 weeks gestation:

• he has developed muscles in his legs and arms, he can roll over, push, unclench and clench his fists;
• he is still very thin, because the fat layer is still very poorly developed;
• sweat and sebaceous glands are already starting to form on his skin;
• baby can hiccup and cough;
• he has a well-developed facial expression, he squints his eyes, opens his mouth, pouts his lips and cheeks;
• hair grows on the head;
• all internal organs formed and placed in their places in a small body.

It is believed that at the 24th week of pregnancy, the child's nervous system is formed and character traits are laid. Of course, the features of temperament are genetic heredity, but the character is formed throughout life, and this important process begins precisely during this period.

The emotional state of the mother has a huge impact on the baby. Scientists identify three ways of interaction between mother and baby: psychological, hormonal, behavioral.

Our ancestors also noticed that if a pregnant woman is nervous, then the baby begins to behave more actively. So, strong emotional upheavals can remain in the memory of a child forever. For example, if during pregnancy the mother lovessome kind of fruit, its taste and smell will always be associated with joy and pleasure in a baby.

What happens to mom at 24 weeks pregnant?

This time is the most calm and excellent for the entire period of pregnancy. She has a lot of energy, the baby is growing and moving actively, all the fears of the expectant mother are behind. During this period, she is no longer so prone to mood swings and psychologically begins to prepare for a meeting with the baby. The appearance of a woman improves, her skin is cleansed, a he althy glow appears. The only drawback is the appearance of age spots.

The location of the internal organs changes in the mother. The growing uterus presses on the bladder and pushes the intestines back. Edema begins to develop.

How many months is this?

The 24th week of pregnancy (if you keep a record from the first day of the last menstruation, that is, the obstetric period) is six months. That is, the second trimester ends - this is the most measured and favorable period. Until the most joyful event - meeting with the baby, there is still a lot of time to devote to preparing for the long-awaited event.

24 weeks pregnant - how many obstetric weeks? If the countdown is from the moment of conception, then this is 26 obstetric weeks, that is, it is 6 months and two weeks.

Movement

At the 24th week of pregnancy in the mother's stomach, the child is already cramped, but he continues to perform his acrobatic stunts. His activity does not decrease, but the movements of the baby become more distinct. He waves his arms andlegs, turns over, somersaults. Now not only mom, but also dad can feel the movements of the baby, if he presses his hand to the pregnant belly.

The baby sleeps a lot, but he already has his own sleep and wake schedule. Scientists say he dreams.

Feelings

Feelings at 24 weeks of pregnancy are quite pleasant for a woman. She begins to feel more and more like an accomplished mother, she is filled with joy. However, right now the weight gain is beginning to affect and be felt. So, in addition to pleasant sensations, there may be problems with the bladder, bowel movements, and digestion. In addition, periodic headaches occur, the woman increasingly feels tired and heaviness in her legs.

Uterine

At the 24th week of pregnancy, the baby is actively growing, and the uterus is growing with it. The bottom of the uterus at this time is already determined at the level of the navel, the cervical canal is filled with a cork, which will leave only before childbirth.

The uterus at the 24th week of pregnancy can contract painlessly and irregularly - these are the so-called false contractions or they are also called "training". These contractions and relaxations of the uterus are usually not accompanied by pain. But if it begins to contract regularly, and this process is accompanied by pain, it is urgent to call an ambulance, as these are symptoms of premature birth.

Belly at 24 weeks

As the uterus grows, the woman's belly grows. At the 24th week of pregnancy, he noticeably grew, rounded and slightly raised. Skin on the abdomenstretches, the vessels begin to shine through. She becomes sensitive and very dry.

Often, light stripes appear on the abdomen, hips and chest, which are called stretch marks or striae. They are very difficult to deal with, so it is much easier to prevent their occurrence. To do this, there are various gels and creams, as well as cosmetic oils that can be bought at a specialized store or pharmacy. It is better to use cosmetics after a shower - 2 times a day.

Pain

What happens at 24 weeks pregnant? By this period, colossal changes have already occurred in the body of a pregnant woman associated with the growth and development of the baby. The body has already adapted to bearing a child, and now it gives all its strength to save the life of the baby. During these processes, a woman often experiences some discomfort.

The most common pain at 24 weeks of pregnancy in the back and lower back. This occurs due to the grown abdomen, softening of the ligaments and a shift in the center of gravity. You can avoid these pains if you strengthen your back muscles before pregnancy, and perform gymnastics during an interesting position.

If your lower back hurts a lot, you need to choose comfortable shoes, and of course, give up heels. Proper footwear can reduce the likelihood of fatigue and heaviness in the legs. The load on the legs will increase, while convulsions are not uncommon, sometimes accompanied by painful sensations. In addition to giving up heels, it is necessary to periodically rest the legs - go to bedon a flat surface and lay them on a hill. You can put a roller under them.

Pain in the abdomen at this time, as a rule, are absent. Only sometimes, nevertheless, there is a sharp stabbing pain in the side - this is a stretching of the uterus, but this unpleasant sensation quickly passes. But the occurrence of pain, similar to contractions, aching and prolonged - requires immediate consultation with a doctor.

Weight

The optimal weight at this time is considered with an increase of up to 7, 5-8 kilograms. Especially it is necessary to follow it for those women who before pregnancy had a predisposition to be overweight.

So every week an increase of 350-500 grams is optimal, it is advisable to weigh yourself daily. Weight should be monitored carefully, as extra pounds gained can worsen the mother's condition and provoke complications during childbirth.

Food

But a special diet will help you keep track of your weight. It is necessary to eat he althy and as natural products as possible. Dishes should be prepared by boiling, baking, stewing. But smoked, half-baked, fried foods should be excluded from the diet.

There is a relative ban on sugar, white flour products, confectionery. They are sources of fast carbohydrates that cause a sharp jump in blood sugar in a pregnant woman and can lead to the development of diabetes in pregnant women. There are restrictions on s alt, as it retains fluid in the body and leads to additional swelling.

During pregnancy there is a risk of anemia,therefore, nutrition should be such as to satisfy the body's need for iron. You should eat buckwheat porridge, beef liver and beef, pomegranates, green apples, lettuce, persimmons. In addition, there are foods that help absorb iron: cherries, currants, sweet peppers, seaweed.

Vegetables and fruits should be constantly present in the diet of a pregnant woman. They are high in fiber, which affects bowel function.

Factors affecting the baby

The placenta protects the baby from exposure to harmful factors, but some of them can still affect the baby. For example, maternal hormones freely penetrate the child's blood and influence the formation of his character. In addition, during pregnancy is strictly prohibited:

• Smoking, because nicotine is addictive in the baby. Under its influence, vasospasm occurs, and the baby does not receive enough oxygen, which causes a delay in its development.
• Drinking alcohol. It should be noted that there are no safe doses, it negatively affects the development of the child.
• Using drugs. Their components penetrate the placenta, disrupting the development of individual organs of the fetus, and can lead to its death.
• Use of chemical harmful substances. For example, paints, detergents, and so on.
• Ionizing radiation, since strong radiation can cause the death of a child.
• Many drugs - they cross the placentaand affect the child, disrupting his development.

Tests and ultrasound

You can find out what is happening with the baby at the 24th week of pregnancy on an ultrasound. A second scheduled examination is scheduled for this period. The parameters of the fetus and the development of its organs are assessed.

As for the tests, then, as a rule, they do not give up at this time, only according to indications. For example, in case of deterioration of he alth or the possibility of developing any diseases. As a rule, only urine and blood tests are done.

Possible complications that may occur

At the 24th week of pregnancy, a lack of vitamin D can cause the baby to develop rickets immediately after birth. An insufficient amount of calcium in the body will lead to its leaching from the vessels and bones, which will provoke the appearance of hemorrhoids and varicose veins, and in old age, it can affect bone disease - osteoporosis.

Getting overweight is dangerous, as it can lead to postpartum obesity or diabetes.

Long-term depressive states are no less dangerous at this time - they have a very negative effect on the child's psyche. Some scientists believe that such an emotional state of the mother can cause the development of attention deficit in the baby or even autism.

Physical activity at week 24

At this stage in the development of pregnancy, it is important not to be lazy. It is advisable to walk more, you can swim in the pool, do fitness, yoga, gymnastics. Useful fitball workouts, they help prepare a woman's body forchildbirth and relieve stress from the spine. But it should be borne in mind that there are sports that are not recommended to be practiced. These include cycling, running, jumping and other active activities.

At the 24th week of pregnancy, you can already sign up for prenatal courses for pregnant women, where they teach you how to behave in childbirth and help you prepare for it.

Premature birth

From this week it is important to watch for signs of preterm labor. Most common symptoms:

• dull back pain;
• bleeding;
• uterine contractions;
• pressing pains on the pelvis;
• convulsions.

If these symptoms persist, seek immediate medical attention. If there is a profuse discharge of water, urgently need to call emergency help.

Good to know

A baby at 24 weeks pregnant is fully formed, and the baby's face is no exception. If you managed to see him on an ultrasound, then you can safely say who he looks like. In addition, by the end of the week, the baby's eyes, including the retina, will be fully formed.